Male tennis champs clean up nicely for US Open tribute...

What. A. Babe. That's the Russian star Marat Safin on Monday night at the US Open. The sexy Safin, who won the tournament back in 2000 over Pete Sampras, was among the former champions who gathered at the Billie Jean King United States Tennis Assn. Tennis Center to celebrate the 40th anniversary of what is known as the "open era." It was in 1968 that professional tennis players could play in the sports four major tournaments and win prize money. Before that, youy had to be an "amateur" and couldn't make a living off your tennis.

Always a class act, the elegant and classy Roger Federer is one of the greatest male champs on the last 40 years. He's won the US Open in each of the last four years.
Three other prominent former American champs, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and Jimmy Connors - who won 12 singles titles between them - did not show up for the ceremony.

Very uncool.

But four-time champ John McEnroe, three-time champ Ivan Lendl, 1989 men's winner Boris Becker and 1988 men's champ Mats Wilander did.

Also there was cutie pie 2003 champion Andy Roddick who is still young enough to bag another title. Maybe this year? Not likely but it would be so nice to see.